Have you ever taken an online test to determine your “Real Age?” If so, perhaps you’ve noticed that among all the questions about diet, exercise, and family health history, there are also questions about how often you visit your dentist and floss your teeth. That’s because healthy teeth and gums are essential for overall general wellbeing. This is true for our pets as well. For people, we know that gingivitis and periodontitis can increase the chance of dying by 23-46%, and may be associated with diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and possibly even cancer. In fact, the risk of premature death is twice as high in people under 50 years of age with advanced periodontal disease.
We do not yet have similar data for cats and dogs, but we do know from experience that maintaining a healthy mouth improves the quality of life for our pets and strengthens the human/companion animal bond. (it’s difficult to get up close & personal with serious dog breath!)
Unfortunately, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of periodontal disease by the age of 3, and this will only worsen if effective preventive measures aren’t taken. Preventive care can help protect your pet and catch problems before they become more serious. This includes both home dental care and professional dental services. February is National Pet Dental Health Month and we will be providing a $25 discount on professional dental services throughout the month. Professional dental services at Mayfair Animal Hospital are performed under general anesthesia and include a thorough oral health evaluation, scaling and polishing the teeth, dental X-rays, and treatment of problems that are identified.
We will also be highlighting Pet Dental Health on Facebook, so make sure you check our page daily for more information on ways we can partner together to take care of your dog’s or cat’s pearly whites. If you will give us a call or stop by, we’d be happy to discuss options for home care as well.